awearthesis.com
GIVE YOUR CLOTHES A NEW LOOK
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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WHAT IS REPURPOSING
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NEW LIFE FOR OLD CLOTHES
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SEWING TOOLS TO GET STARTED
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FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO REPURPOSE CLOTHES
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THE EVENT SCHEDULE
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PROBLEMS IN THE FAST FASHION INDUSTRY
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HOW TO SHOP ETHICALLY
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WHAT IS REPURPOSING Repurposing is the use of something for a purpose other than its original intended use. Repurposing an item can be done by modifying it to fit a new use, or by using the item as is in a new way. The practice is not limited to physical items, and is a common practice for marketing material and content. Repurposing, when performed as a way to reduce waste and supplant a new, manufactured good is an element of micro-sustainability, which is a focus on small environmentally friendly actions that can add up to a larger environmental impact. Repurposing is also related to freecycling, which is the donation of usable but unwanted items to those that can use them rather than throwing them away.
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“REPURPOSING USED CLOTHES IS THE IDEAL WAY TO GET FURTHER LIFE FROM DISCARDED CLOTHES, WHILE CREATING SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE.” — KATE PULLEN
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NEW LIFE FOR OLD CLOTHES
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Repurposing is close to the heart of many creative people. This means taking an item and giving it a new or different purpose. With clothes this means that instead of throwing an item away because it is worn, out of fashion or simply out of favor, they are turned into something desirable and useful. Almost any type of clothing can be repurposed. The fabric content alone means that clothing can be resewn or used to make quilts or for patchwork projects. However, with a little creativity, clothes can be transformed into practical items or stunning works of art.
REPURPOSEING
REUSING
RECYCLING
Repurposing is the process by which an object with one use value is transformed or redeployed as an object with an alternative use value.
Reuse is any activity that lengthens the life of an item.
Recycling is the reprocessing of an item into a new raw material.
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SEWING TOOLS TO GET STARTED As a sewing beginner, you don’t have to have every sewing tool ever sold in your toolkit. Depending on what type of sewing projects you start with, some sewing tools you just won’t need right away. You can add tools to your sewing kit as you need them. So what sewing tools should you start out with? Today, I’m going to tell you about sewing tools you need for a complete toolkit. SEWING NEEDLES
As you know, hand needles come in different sizes and have different uses. This handy guide shows you the types of needles available and their uses. Knowing this information will help you choose the right of needle for your project and for the weight of your fabric.
NEEDLE THREADER
Needles threaders are from very simple to very sophisticated in design and most can be used with both hand needles and sewing machine needles. But they all serve the same purpose, to aid us in getting the thread through that teeny-tiny eye of the needle.
TRACING WHEEL
Tracing wheels are used with tracing paper to transfer pattern markings. I use a tracing wheel with a serrated edge, but you can get one with a smooth edge. I prefer the serrated edge because, in my opinion, it transfers heavier markings that easily show up on the bottom layer of the fabric.
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TAPE MEASURE
Every seamstress needs a tape measure. It’s essential for taking your or someone else’s measurements, as well as measuring lots of other things. Just keep one around your neck when you’re sewing and you’ll never have to look for it. Some tape measures come with inches on one side and centimeters on the other. They also come in 60 inch and 120 inch lengths.
SCISSORS
As any artisan or craftsman knows, having the right tools is critical. There’s no question investing in high quality scissors makes sewing more efficient. But, sewing involves lots of different tasks and using a wide variety of materials. While a good pair of high quality dressmaker shears is enough to handle most fabric cutting tasks, the notions walls are filled with many new and exciting cutting tools for sewing tailored to handle specific tasks and materials.
GLUE GUN
There are three major types of hot glue guns, standard temperature (also called high temp), low temperature and adjustable temperature. When bonding fabric or other sensitive materials, low temperature or adjustable temperature glue guns are highly recommended.
PIN CUSHION
The reason I say a pin cushion, or if you prefer a pin magnet, is necessary is because they keep your pins at your fingertips as you sew. They also stop your pins from rolling under your sewing machine on onto the floor. There’s nothing worst than spending the limited time you have to sew looking for pins or anything else.
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FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO REPURPOSE CLOTHES With reducing clutter on everyone’s minds, we sometimes think about the things we have that just take up space. Many times, we are often left wondering what to do with clothes that no longer fit or have already seen their share of wear and tear. Luckily, there are more than enough ways to be mindful and sustainable when ridding ourselves of what we no longer need. Here are five ways we can give our clothes a second life and make an impact.
Jeans T-shirts Sweaters
Long Skirts Shopping Bags Pet Cushions
Dresses
Aprons
Hoodies
Short Skirts
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REPURPOSING JEANS INTO LONG SKIRTS
SCISSORS
GLUE GUN
TROUSERS
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REPURPOSING T-SHIRTS INTO SHOPPING BAGS Use old t-shirts to create colorful and eye-catching produce bags. SCISSORS
T-SHIRT
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REPURPOSING SWEATERS INTO PET CUSHIONS SCISSORS
SEWING NEEDLES
SWEATER
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REPURPOSING DRESSES INTO APRONS
SCISSORS
SEWING NEEDLES
GLUE GUN
DRESS
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REPURPOSING HOODIES INTO SHORT SKIRTS
SCISSORS
SEWING NEEDLES
Hoodie
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THE EVENTS SCHEDULE The goal of the event is to provide a platform that people will come together to communicate and exchange their unwanted clothes. Also, people can learn how to repurpose their clothes for other uses and to share ideas.
CLOTHING SWAP
DIY WORKSHOP
CLOTHING EXCHANGE
November 17th, 2018 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM 1121 64th Street, Oakland, CA 94621
December 9th, 2018 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM 6050 Lowell Street, Oakland, CA 94608
Every day 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM 1660 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
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PROBLEMS IN THE FAST FASHION INDUSTRY Fast fashion is described as “low-cost clothing collections that mimic current trends.” It is dominating the fashion industry. Fast fashion garment industries cause major problems related to the exploitation of human rights and an environmental crisis.
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LOW WAGES To keep clothing expenses low, fast fashion brands rely on low-wage, overseas labor. More than 70% of garment workers in China are women, 85% in Bangladesh and 90% in Cambodia. They made clothes in very poor production environment. Worker’s legal protection is very thin.
ENVIROMENTAL CRISIS Fast fashion is creating an environmental crisis. People think it was the solution to donate clothes they no longer wear to others or sell to the vintage store, but only 15% of clothing that is recycled or reused, 85% of clothing goes to landfill. The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year.
WASTEFUL PRACTICES Low prices and fast trends have made clothing into throwaway items. People don’t realize that the fast fashion Industry is more costly than we thought.
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HOW TO SHOP ETHICALLY Nothing is more disheartening for a fashion lover than to realize that their passion for clothes might have a negative impact on the rest of the world. Even casual shoppers are contributing to the problem more than they may think. The problem, to be specific, is fast fashion. By now it’s common knowledge that the booming surplus of cheap clothing is causing problems worldwide, from poor conditions for factory workers that lead to tragedies such as the collapsed factory in Bangladesh to an unsustainable toll being taken on the earth’s resources. There is simply too much clothing being made, often in unethical ways. A century ago it was standard for someone to only own a handful of clothing, made well and repaired over and over again so that each item would last for years. Now the average person buys around 65 items of cheap clothes and discards more than 68 pounds of clothing in landfills every year. It’s not sustainable, so if you care about the earth and the people who live in it then you probably agree that it’s time to look for alternative ways to shop. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the good news is that it’s actually very easy to make small but impactful changes to the way you shop for clothes. Whether you take us up on just one or all ten of our suggestions, you can feel good knowing that you’re making a difference (while still getting your fashion fix).
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01
Research ethical clothing brands online
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Learn how to shop at thrift stores
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Research ethical fast fashion brands and stick to them
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Budget for high quality staples
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Learn about clothing
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Ask your favorite brands to do better
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Support local small businesses
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Take a sewing or knitting class (or learn online)
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Learn how to repair clothing or find a good tailor
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Check out Etsy for vintage and handmade items
RECOMMENDED BRANDS siizu.com patagonia.com amourvert.com kuyichi.com everlane.com peopletree.co.uk eileenfisher.com
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“SEE THE SMALL AND BIG CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE TODAY.” — ALDEN WICKER
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LAST BUT NOT LEAST Check the website to get more information awearthesis.com Follow our Instagram to learn the process of repurposing clothes awear_thesis Contact mayitian025@gmail.com
CREDITS https://www.racked.com/2017/8/22/16179784/sustainable-shopping-how-to https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/repurposing.asp https://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Repurposing_Used_Clothes https://katrinakaycreations.com/15-sewing-tools-you-need-for-a-complete-starter-toolkit/ https://fashionmagazine.com/fashion/how-to-shop-ethically/